When I was young, I had the answers but nobody asked me questions. Now that I am old. people ask me questions but I don’t have answers.
Elizabeth Elliot
I loved listening to Gateway to Joy when I was a younger mom. And although it stopped airing in 2001 you can still listen to the wisdom of Elizabeth Elliot using the link provided. Her words and this particular quote so resonates with my life. When I was young, I was so eager to give my sure answers. Now I am learning to hesitate and to take a breath before jumping into a question. More frequently, I ask more questions of the questioner.
I have a few online courses that seek to help adults pursue three things in service of the next generation:
- Be the example the next generation needs.
- Create relationships that foster a deep connection.
- Speak truth and mercy with empathy for and consideration of the other in front of you.
In the course of this teaching and coaching, I am asked a category of question that requires not just a yes or no answer but a pulling back to a bigger thought than originally presented.
Recently in one of my classes, I was asked:
“Can nurture truly help to compensate for the lack of giftedness in speaking?”
Sharing my reply with you as it may be your question too.
Greetings,
Your question is such an important one and behind it, I hear a desire for hope.
The short answer to your question is a chorus of 20 years of thousands of students and adults who are living proof and who would speak as one powerful resounding yes, yes and so yes! It is TRUE and SURE that with the nurture of a community a student by taking one small step, one more time can be transformed in such a big way and not only in their communication skills but also in every aspects of their life.
Here’s the funny thing. Giftedness in speech can sometimes actually be a hindrance.
How so?
The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
You see whether young or old when our speech is informed by not considering our own interests but the interests of others. (Phil 2:3) something greater than any giftedness kicks in. Love.
My hope is that it is this love: First His love for us that then infuses and spills over into our love for others that informs not only our words but all our deeds. Giftedness alone can never accomplish this kind of life-changing communication.